Human-Wildlife Coexistence: Navigating the New Frontier of Fertility Control
This course introduces students to wildlife fertility control as a humane and sustainable alternative to traditional lethal population management methods like culling. Through lectures, case studies, and hands-on laboratory and field sessions, students will learn about available contraceptive tools, delivery methods, and how to assess impacts on reproduction and animal welfare. The course also develops practical skills such as writing project proposals, preparing participants for future work in innovative and ethical approaches to human-wildlife interactions.
Important Notice on Course Suitability and Activities:
Some Summer School courses are designed for students with prior academic background in a specific discipline and may be unsuitable for participants without that preparation.
In addition, certain courses include discipline-standard practical activities (for example, laboratory work with biological specimens, dissections, use of clinical or forensic material, field sampling, or other hands-on procedures) that may be unfamiliar or unsettling for some participants.
Students are responsible for reading the course descriptor carefully and ensuring (i) that they meet any stated academic expectations or prerequisites, and (ii) that they are comfortable participating in the methods and activities described.
If you are unsure about suitability, please contact the course lecturer(s) before enrolling.
| Week | Contents | Teaching/learning activities | |
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| 1 |
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Lectures and practical activities
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| 2 |
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Lectures, practical activities and groups discussion with play-role activities
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| 3 |
13. Fertility control for small mammals (rodents → rabbits) and population dynamics 14.How to design a project on animal fertility control. 14a. Discussion group with scenarios (role-play) 15. Measuring impact and cost of fertility control interventions (UAB focus) 16. Public views on wildlife fertility control 16a. Design a survey on wildlife fertility control
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Lectures, practical activities, and group discussions with play-role activities |
From Monday to Friday (July 24 is a local holiday).
From 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
The evaluation process for this course on wildlife fertility control will incorporate multiple formats to assess both theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired by the students. This dual approach aims to provide comprehensive feedback on the students' understanding and ability to apply concepts in real-world scenarios.
Evaluation Components
1. Written Assignments: Students will submit three written assignments throughout the course:
- An essay on the ethical implications of wildlife fertility control versus traditional methods.
- A project proposal for implementing a fertility control program in a specific region, focusing on a selected species.
- A reflective piece on the integration of local community perspectives in wildlife fertility control initiatives.
Deadlines:
- Essay: End of Week 1
- Project Proposal: End of Week 2
- Reflective Piece: End of Week 3
2. Practical Assessments: Each practical session will end with a brief quiz or task to assess the skills and knowledge applied during the activity. This includes hormone measurement, delivery system design, and scenario-based role-play activities.
3. Group Project: In Week 3, students will work in groups to design and present a comprehensive wildlife fertility control strategy for a hypothetical scenario. This will include stakeholder analysis, budget planning, and expected outcomes.
4. Final Examination: A comprehensive test covering all theoretical content from the course. This will include multiple-choice questions, short answers, and case studies.
Deadline: Last day of Week 3
5. Participation and Engagement: Continuous assessment of student engagement during lectures, discussions, and field visits.
Communication of Results
- The final grades will be calculated by compiling scores from all components. Each component's weight will be specified in the course handbook.
- Students will receive feedback on written assignments within one week of submission.
- Final course grades will be communicated to students via email one day before the end of the course period, with a copy to summer@uab.cat.
1. Wildlife Ethics: The Ethics of Wildlife Management and Conservation Clare Palmer, Bob Fischer, Christian Gamborg, Jordan Hampton, Peter Sandoe ISBN: 978-1-119-61126-4. August 2023. Wiley-Blackwell. 304 pages
2. Fertility Control for Wildlife: A European Perspective – Giovanna MasseiThis article reviews the use of contraceptives in wildlife management across Europe, assessing their impact on reproduction and animal welfare, the methods of administration, the associated costs, and the feasibility of these approaches in various contexts. It emphasizes fertility control as a humane alternative to culling in areas where lethal methods are socially unacceptable or illegal, such as urban settings and national parks.Animals 2023, 13(3), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030428
3. Too many wild boar? Modelling fertility control and culling to reduce wild boar numbers in isolated populations Croft S, Franzetti B, Gill R, Massei G (2020). PLOS ONE 15(9): e0238429. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238429
4. Developing fertility control for rodents: a framework for researchers and practitioners. Giovanna Massei, Jens Jacob, and Lyn A. Hinds. Integrative Zoology 2024, 19, 87–107. doi: 10.1111/1749-4877.12727
Dr. Giovanna Massei is the Director of BIWFC Europe and a Professor of Human-Wildlife Interactions at the University of York, with over 30 years of experience in wildlife management and 20 years specializing in fertility control research. Her work spans a wide range of species and countries, focusing on humane, non-lethal solutions to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.
Dr. Manel López-Bejar is a professor and researcher at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, specializing in animal reproductive physiology, endocrinology, and welfare. Currently serving as Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, he has published extensively, led numerous research projects, and held prominent academic and advisory roles both nationally and internationally. His work has significantly advanced veterinary medicine, particularly in reproductive biosciences and animal welfare.
Additional information
In collaboration with Botstiber Institute